Drifting SpaceX rocket heading for accidental collision with moon
Summary
A SpaceX rocket stage that launched lunar landers over a year ago is now drifting toward the moon and will crash into it on Wednesday. The impact will create a small crater, sending dust into space that scientists and telescope watchers plan to observe.Key Facts
- The rocket’s upper stage will hit the moon near Einstein Crater at about 5,400 mph (8,700 km/h).
- The crash will release energy equal to about three tons of TNT explosives.
- This will be the second known accidental rocket crash on the moon; a Chinese rocket segment hit the far side of the moon in 2022.
- The impact flash will be very brief and dim, likely not visible from Earth.
- Dust and debris from the crash could be seen from telescopes for tens of minutes after impact.
- The crater formed will be about 90 feet (27 meters) wide and 16 feet (5 meters) deep.
- NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea’s Danuri orbiter will take images of the site before and after the crash.
- Experts say the crash could have been avoided if the rocket upper stage had been pushed into an orbit around the sun.
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